How will new GCSE grades affect your university applications?

This August, the first of the new-style GCSE results will be released. Under the new system, students get a numerical grade from 9 to 1, instead of a letter from A* to G.

The change means that universities who ask for GCSE results between A* and C need to set new rules – but not all of them have made the same decision. Although the government says that grade 4 or above is equivalent to A* – C, universities including University College London and King's College London are asking for at least a 5.

The problem is that the new grades don't match up perfectly with the old ones, because there are more different grades available – so a result that would have been a B or a C could now be a 4, 5 or 6.

So if you've taken the new GCSEs and you're thinking of applying to university, make sure you check the entry requirements carefully when you make your choices.